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Jacob van Oost I

Jacob van Oost I is a Bruges painter and draftsman and probably a student of his brother Frans van Oost (died 1625). Van Oost is viewed as the most important 17th-century painter from Bruges. He makes portraits for the Bruges bourgeois and history paintings, but is primarily known for the altarpieces that he makes in the spirit of the Counter Reformation. The painter is strongly influenced by the Caravaggio effects that he learns in Italy. From the work of Caravaggio (1571-1610) he takes over the chiaroscuro as well as the non-idealised figures.

After this, an evolution follows towards more monumental figures and a rather classicist treatment that is in line with the work of Annibale Carracci (1560-1690) and Domenichino (1581-1641).

After about 1650, a greater emotionality surfaces in his work, together with the dramatic spatial effects and a palette that is related to Venetian art. In this period, van Oost is influenced by Federico Barocci (1528-35-1612), Correggio (ca. 1489-1534) and Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641). A masterpiece in his oeuvre is Portrait of a Bruges Family (Groeninge Museum, Bruges).

1603

Jacob van Oost I is born in Bruges.

18 October 1621

Van Oost I receives the Free Mastership in the Saint Luke Guild in Bruges.

1621-1628

Jacob van Oost I stays in Italy. Of the work he completed in Italy there is nothing to mention with any certainty.

13 October 1629

The artist becomes stedehouder of the Saint Luke Guild in Bruges.

1630

Jaquemyne Van Overdille and Jacob van Oost I are married and have 1 son.

1641-1642

1643-1644

1645

Van Oost I paints Portrait of a Bruges Family (Groeninge Musuem, Bruges).

1651-1671

Until his death, van Oost I is the official city painter of Bruges.

1648

For the Bruges Our Lady Church, he paints Mary with Saints.

Circa 1655

Van Oost I paints The Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple (Saint Jacob's Church, Bruges).

1656-1657

Both The Charity of Saint Martin and Saint Augustine washing the feet of Christ make up a part of a bridal gift that van Oost I gives to his daughter for her entrance into the cloister of Saint Trudy in Bruges.

1662

The artist again becomes stedehouder of the Saint Luke Guild in Bruges.

1668

Van Oost I paints Portrait of a Theologue and his Secretary (Groeninge Museum, Bruges).